Later this month, Daniel Radcliffe will leave the friendly ghosts of Hogwarts behind in favor of a much darker haunting. His first major post-"Potter" role comes with the adaptation of Susan Hill's beloved Victorian ghost story "The Woman in Black."

The film represents a major challenge for Radcliffe and his star persona. It's his biggest movie release as a mere leading Muggle, and fans want to know: Can "The Woman in Black" help Radcliffe make the all-important leap from child star to adult actor? "Woman in Black" screenwriter Jane Goldman thinks so.

"It's an extraordinary achievement," she said. "I think we were all just blown away by his performance. I think that's going to be pretty exciting for his fans."

Goldman recently made a name for herself penning some of the most successful comic book adaptations in recent years. Her writing credit appears on "Kick-Ass" and "X-Men: First Class," as well as spy thriller "The Debt."

Radcliffe's role presents something entirely different for the actor, who, believe it or not, plays a father and widower in the film. This stark change really stands out for Goldman, considering that Radcliffe played a younger character in the last few "Potter" films. "In a sense, with the last few years of 'Potter,' he was playing younger than he is," she said. "He is a young man, but he also threw himself totally into this ['Woman in Black'] role, and the fact that he's so believable as a widower and as a father [is impressive]."

What excited Goldman most about Radcliffe's performance was the maturity he brought to it. "I found it incredibly exciting seeing Dan playing such a mature role," she said. "I think that will be a fun and really interesting thing for his audience to see. He's really playing a man."